Curragh Racecourse
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Curragh Racecourse
The Curragh Racecourse -- usually referred to as simply the Curragh -- is one of Ireland's most important Thoroughbred racecourses. It is situated on the Curragh plain in County Kildare, between the towns of Newbridge and Kildare. History The name "Curragh" comes from the Irish language word ''Cuirreach'', meaning "place of the running horse". The first recorded race on the plain took place in 1727, but it was used for races before then. The first Derby was held in 1866, and in 1868 the Curragh was officially declared a horse racing and training facility by act of parliament. Racecourse redevelopment Redevelopment of the Curragh grandstand and racecourse facilities began in 2017 with completion due in time for commencement of the 2019 Irish Flat season. A truncated racing fixture list continued to be held at the course during this period with temporary facilities in place for the public. Racing The Curragh is a right-handed track, horseshoe and galloping in nature wit ...
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The Curragh County Kildare
''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the most frequently used word in the English language; studies and analyses of texts have found it to account for seven percent of all printed English-language words. It is derived from gendered articles in Old English which combined in Middle English and now has a single form used with nouns of any gender. The word can be used with both singular and plural nouns, and with a noun that starts with any letter. This is different from many other languages, which have different forms of the definite article for different genders or numbers. Pronunciation In most dialects, "the" is pronounced as (with the voiced dental fricative followed by a schwa) when followed by a consonant sound, and as (homophone of the archaic pron ...
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The Minstrel
The Minstrel (11 March 1974 – 3 September 1990) was a Canadian-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. Bred in Ontario, he was sold as a yearling and exported to Europe, where he was campaigned in Ireland and the United Kingdom. As a two-year-old The Minstrel was unbeaten in three races, including the Dewhurst Stakes, but lost two of his first three starts in 1977. He was then moved up in distance and won his remaining three races: the Epsom Derby, the Irish Derby and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. These performances led to The Minstrel becoming horse of the year in the UK and later being inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. The Minstrel spent his stud career in the United States, where he had considerable success as a sire of winners. Background The Minstrel was a "stocky" chestnut colt with a white blaze, four white stockings and a gentle disposition, foaled at E. P. Taylor's Windfields Farm in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. The ...
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Ridgewood Pearl Stakes
The Ridgewood Pearl Stakes, also known as the Lanwades Stud Stakes, is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged four years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in May. The event's registered title honours Ridgewood Pearl, a successful Irish-trained filly in the mid 1990s. Ridgewood Pearl died in 2003, and the title was first used for that year's running of a race now called the Renaissance Stakes. The present Ridgewood Pearl Stakes was established in 2004, and it initially held Group 2 status. It was downgraded to Group 3 level in 2007 and returned to Group 2 status in 2015. The race was sponsored by TRI Equestrian from 2009 to 2012, and was referred to as the TRI Equestrian Stakes. In 2013 it was renamed the Abu Dhabi Stakes and in 2014 the sponsorship was taken over by Lanwades Stud. It is held on the same afternoon as the Iris ...
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Tetrarch Stakes
The Tetrarch Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at the Curragh in early May. History The event is named after The Tetrarch, a successful Irish racehorse foaled in 1911. The 2021 running carried the name of Dick McCormick, an Irish racehorse trainer who was one of the few men who rode The Tetrarch in workouts. For a period the Tetrarch Stakes held Group 3 status. It was downgraded to Listed level in 2011. The Tetrarch Stakes can serve as a trial for the Irish 2,000 Guineas. The last horse to win both races was Awtaad in 2016. Records Leading jockey since 1950 (5 wins): * Michael Kinane – ''Flash of Steel (1986), Big Shuffle (1987), Monashee Mountain (2000), Century City (2002), Leitrim House (2004)'' * Kevin Manning - ''Desert Style (1995), Creachadoir (2007), Vocalised (2009), Free Judgement (2010), Lunar Space ...
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Mooresbridge Stakes
The Mooresbridge Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (2,012 metres) at the Curragh in early May. History The event is named after Mooresbridge (or "Moore's Bridge"), a bridge close to the racecourse on the Curragh plain. For a period the race held Listed status. It was promoted to Group 3 level in 2003 and upgraded to Group 2 status in 2017. The Mooresbridge Stakes is currently sponsored by Coolmore Stud. Its sponsored title includes the name of Sottsass, a Coolmore stallion. Records Most successful horse since 1986 (2 wins): * Nysaean – ''2003, 2004'' Leading jockey since 1986 (5 wins): * Michael Kinane – ''Executive Perk (1989), Definite Article (1996), Urban Ocean (2000), Nysaean (2004), Alayan (2006)'' * Pat Smullen - ''Stage Affair (1998), Muakaad (2001), Cairdeas (2005), Regime (2008), Fascinating Rock ( ...
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Athasi Stakes
The Athasi Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at the Curragh in early May. History The event is named after Athasi, a successful broodmare in the 1920s and 1930s. Her progeny included Trigo, the winner of the Derby and St Leger in 1929. The Athasi Stakes was formerly restricted to fillies aged three. Following a period with Group 3 status, it was downgraded to Listed level in 1987. The race was opened to four-year-old fillies in 1993. It was opened to older mares in 2001. It regained Group 3 status in 2003. Records Most successful horse: * ''no horse has won this race more than once'' Leading jockey since 1986 (5 wins): * Michael Kinane – ''Certain Secret (1988), Inishdalla (1991), Market Booster (1992), Asema (1993), Hazariya (2005)'' Leading trainer since 1986 (7 wins): * Dermot Weld ...
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Gladness Stakes
The Gladness Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to horses aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres) at the Curragh in April. History The event is named after Gladness, a successful Irish-trained racehorse in the 1950s. It was established in 1963, and was initially contested over 1 mile and 2 furlongs. It was shortened to a mile in 1964, and cut to its present length in 1970. For a period the Gladness Stakes held Listed status. It used to be open to horses aged three or older. It was promoted to Group 3 level in 1987, and closed to three-year-olds in 2004. It was re-opened to three-year-olds from 2014. Records Most successful horse (2 wins): * Mustameet – ''2005, 2007'' * Lancaster House – ''2020, 2021'' Leading jockey (4 wins): * George McGrath – ''Signa Infesta (1968), Rocked (1969), Pardner (1972), Rare April (1977)'' Leading trainer ...
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Park Express Stakes
The Park Express Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres) at the Curragh in March. History The event is named after Park Express, a successful Irish-trained filly in the 1980s. It was established in 2003, and initially held Listed status. The first running was won by Wrong Key. It was promoted to Group 3 level in 2006. The Park Express Stakes is currently Ireland's first Group race of the year. Records Most successful horse: * ''no horse has won this race more than once'' Leading jockey (4 wins): * Wayne Lordan – ''Danehill Music (2006), Lolly for Dolly (2011), Chrysanthemum (2012), Epona Plays (2021)'' Leading trainer (4 wins): * Jim Bolger – ''Alexander Goldrun (2004), Oh Goodness Me (2009), Rehn's Nest (2013), Normandel (2019)'' Winners See also * Horse racing in Ireland * List of Irish flat horse ...
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Galileo (horse)
Galileo (30 March 1998 – 10 July 2021) was an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and sire (horse), sire. In a racing career which lasted from October 2000 until October 2001, he ran eight times and won six races. He is best known for having won Epsom Derby, the Derby, Irish Derby Stakes, Irish Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2001. He was named the Cartier Champion Three-year-old Colt, European Champion Three-Year-Old Colt of 2001. After his retirement, Galileo was one of the most sought-after sires in the world. He first became the leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland in 2008, then consecutively earned the title from 2010–2020. In 2020, he set the record for the number of Epsom Derby winners sired at five: New Approach, Ruler of the World, Ruler Of The World, Australia (horse), Australia, Anthony Van Dyck (horse), Anthony Van Dyck and Serpentine (horse), Serpentine. In June 2020, Galileo sired his 85th Group One, Group 1 winner, breaking Danehill (horse) ...
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St Jovite
St Jovite (11 March 1989 – 9 January 2016) was an American bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse bred and owned by Virginia Kraft Payson. He was sired by Pleasant Colony, winner of the 1981 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. His dam, Northern Sunset, was a granddaughter of the pre-eminent sire of the 20th century, Northern Dancer. Sent to race on European turf courses under Irish trainer Jim Bolger, in 1991 St Jovite was voted the Champion 2-year-old in Ireland after winning the Anglesey and Futurity Stakes. At three, the colt ran second to Dr Devious in the 1992 Epsom Derby. St Jovite then defeated Dr Devious by twelve lengths while setting a new Curragh Racecourse record in winning the Irish Derby. Following his win over older horses in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, St. Jovite ran second again by a short-head to Dr Devious in the Irish Champion Stakes. Sent to Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, for the prestigious Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, St Jovite ...
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Sadler's Wells (horse)
Sadler's Wells (11 April 1981 – 26 April 2011) was an American-bred, Irish-trained champion Thoroughbred racehorse and outstanding sire. He was the 1984 European Champion miler after winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas, Eclipse Stakes and Phoenix Champion Stakes in that year. He also finished second in the French Derby and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Despite his success as a runner, it is as a sire that Sadler's Wells is best known. He was the leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland a record-setting 14 times, including 13 titles in a row. At the time of his death, he had sired 323 stakes winners. Only Danehill, who was operational across both hemispheres, sired more. Sadler's Wells was also a notable sire of sires, including Galileo and Montjeu in Europe, and El Prado in the United States. He helped reverse a trend from the middle of the twentieth century where many of Europe's most successful racehorses were exported to stand in the United States and later ...
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El Gran Senor
El Gran Senor (21 April 1981 – 18 October 2006) was a champion American-bred Thoroughbred race horse, foaled at Windfields Farm (Maryland). He was the best horse of his generation in Europe at both two and three years of age, ahead of an outstanding group of contemporaries which included Chief Singer, Darshaan, Rainbow Quest, Sadler's Wells, Lashkari, Pebbles, Commanche Run and Northern Trick. His only defeat in eight races came when he was beaten a short head by Secreto in the 1984 Epsom Derby. El Gran Senor received a ''Timeform'' rating of 136. He also enjoyed notable success at stud, before being pensioned at Ashford Stud in Kentucky in 2000. Background He was born in 1981 and was bred at Windfields Farm (Maryland) by Windfields' owner E. P. Taylor in partnership with Vincent O'Brien, John Magnier, and Robert Sangster. He had a pronounced parrot mouth, which he often passed on to his progeny. His name comes from the nickname of Horatio Luro, trainer of his sire North ...
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